MRI Scan Whole Abdomen & Pelvis with Post Void Residue

Post-void residual (PVR) is the urine remaining after voiding. Small amounts are often normal, but persistently high PVR (commonly >100–200 mL) or acute urinary retention can be serious, increasing risks of urinary infections, bladder dysfunction and kidney damage. Evaluation and treatment (catheterization, medications, or surgery) depend on cause and severity; seek medical assessment for inability to pass urine, pain, or recurrent infections.

Post-void residual (PVR) in a female is the volume of urine remaining in the bladder after urination, measured by bladder ultrasound or catheterization. Normal PVR is usually under about 50 mL; values above 100 mL suggest clinically significant incomplete emptying. Elevated PVR can result from weak bladder muscle, outlet obstruction, neurologic conditions, medications or pelvic organ prolapse and increases risk of UTIs and overflow incontinence.

"Post-void" medically means "after urination" — the time immediately following bladder emptying. It’s used to describe symptoms (post-void dribbling) or measurements (post-void residual urine), indicating how much urine remains after voiding. Assessing post-void status helps evaluate bladder emptying, detect urinary retention, infection risk, and guide diagnosis and treatment of lower urinary tract conditions.

Treat post-void urinary retention by immediate bladder drainage (intermittent catheterisation or a temporary indwelling catheter) and measuring post-void residual. Address causes: relieve obstruction (alpha‑blockers or surgery for BPH), treat urinary infection, and stop offending drugs. Use bladder training, timed voiding, or cholinergic drugs for detrusor underactivity. Refer to urology and consider urodynamics if retention recurs or complications develop.

Yes — stress and anxiety can cause difficulty urinating or urinary retention. Acute stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which can relax the bladder muscle and tighten the urinary sphincter; pelvic‑floor tension may also block flow. It’s more likely with underlying problems (e.g., BPH) or after surgery. Management includes relaxation, timed voiding, pelvic‑floor physiotherapy, and medical review if it persists.

Yes. Post-void residual (PVR) tends to increase with age due to reduced bladder contractility, higher rates of bladder outlet obstruction (e.g., prostate enlargement in men), neurological conditions, and medications. Mild increases are common in older adults; however clinically significant PVR (often >100–200 mL) or symptoms such as incomplete emptying, recurrent UTIs, or urinary retention warrant medical evaluation.